Capt. Eric Cole relieved Capt. John Cage because the squadron’s commodore, in a ceremony held on the base chapel.
Rear Adm. John Spencer, earlier commander of Submarine Group Ten, was the visitor speaker for the ceremony.
Spencer highlighted the excessive requirements of the squadron’s workers as they supported the six Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines that comprise Squadron Twenty.
“Final 12 months, we as a submarine drive determined to take a renewed take a look at waterfront upkeep practices, to incorporate making each effort to get our ship underway precisely on time,” mentioned Spencer. “For the non-submariners that won’t appear to be a giant feat, however given the complexity of a submarine, the tremendously excessive requirements we demand of each piece of kit practically excellent predictability in schedules isn’t obtained. However John obtained it briefly order. Restoring a degree of predictability in our submarines schedules that we had not achieved in practically a decade,” mentioned Spencer.
Cage, who was born in Idaho Falls, Indiana and raised in Jefferson Metropolis, Missouri, obtained his fee by way of the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program. He graduated from the College of Kansas with a bachelor’s diploma in engineering physics. He earned a grasp’s diploma in nuclear engineering from the College of Missouri.
Cage addressed Squadron Twenty’s submarine commanding officers and thanked them for his or her laborious work and dedication.
“We ask loads of you in your job,” mentioned Cage, who took command in April 2021. “We ship you to sea on the oldest submarines within the Navy to execute an important obligation in our nation’s protection. It’s a no-fail mission, and also you execute it flawlessly.”
Cage acknowledged the workers and their work to uphold the mission of Squadron Twenty.
“Your efforts have ensured our boats had been capable of hold the principle factor, the principle factor – strategic deterrence of our adversaries,” mentioned Cage. “These late evening calls ensured our SSBN drive remained a reputable protection across the clock, each day of the 12 months. The significance of this mission remaining credible to our adversaries can’t be overstated.”
In the course of the ceremony, Spencer awarded Cage with the Legion of Advantage Award for his service as commodore.
“John, let me be the spokesman for the U.S. Navy and our nation after I say thanks for retaining us protected,” mentioned Spencer. “I’ve been honored to serve with you and lots of of sailors and officers have benefited out of your management and mentorship. You need to be very pleased with all that you’ve accomplished.”
Beneath his tenure, Squadron Twenty was acknowledged as the highest performing and largest submarine squadron within the Atlantic Fleet. They supported 33 ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) strategic deterrent patrols, two prolonged refit durations, and three intensive modernization refits amidst a world-wide pandemic. Squadron Twenty submarines accomplished a number of unprecedented abroad operations to incorporate the primary transit to the Mediterranean Sea and a port go to to Gibraltar in additional than 20 years.
Cole, the incoming commodore, is a local of Carrollton, Georgia. He obtained his commissioning from the U.S. Naval Academy the place he earned a bachelor’s diploma with honors in electrical engineering. He earned a grasp’s diploma in engineering administration from Outdated Dominion College.
“To our SSBN commanding officers, each right here and people at sea defending every one among us right this moment, you might be and lead the women and men within the area. I would like you to know that everybody on this room right this moment, every little thing Staff Kings Bay does, is for you, your crews, and the spouses and households who assist you as you perform our nation’s highest precedence mission of strategic deterrence,” mentioned Cole who beforehand served because the Director of Strategic Forces at Commander, Submarine Forces, Atlantic.
Cage’s private awards embrace the Protection Superior Service Medal, Legion of Advantage (two awards), Protection Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (4 awards). For his subsequent project, he’ll report back to Submarine Group Ten workers.
“There’s a lengthy legacy of excellence at Squadron Twenty and your management of this extraordinary workers has fostered a command that not solely is aware of the right way to succeed as a workers, however even higher they know the right way to foster excellence in submarine instructions on the Kings Bay waterfront,” mentioned Cole.
Submarine Squadron Twenty is chargeable for the upkeep and operations of 5 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines USS Alaska (SSBN 732), USS Tennessee (SSBN 734), USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) and USS Maryland (SSBN 738) USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740).
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is residence to all east coast Ohio-class submarines.
